K1 National Championship at Shoreham Sailing Club

K1 Nationals at Shoreham © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

K1 Nationals at Shoreham © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

The K1s returned to the sea for their Nationals this year where the fleet of 25 boats enjoyed a good mix of sailing conditions with perhaps the last of the summer sea breezes and excellent hospitality at Shoreham SC.

There was plenty of wind for the practice race on Friday with waves providing some enjoyable off-wind surfing. In the evening the sailors were treated to a meal generously laid on by local K1 sailor Ralph Husey at his home.

On Saturday morning the wind had all but gone and sailors were greeted by the postponement flag flying. Boats were rigged in optimistic anticipation and before long the race team decided to tow everyone out of the harbour as a gentle breeze was building offshore.

Although never more than 5 to 6 knots the breeze remained steady allowing racing to get underway with the boats moving fast enough to make good progress to windward against the tide and close racing throughout the fleet.

At the front end pond sailors Paul Handley of Chipstead SC and Mike Ball of Papercourt were the first to complete the triangle/sausage course followed by Wiclif McCready of Strangford Lough Yacht Club and Jeff Vanderborght and Peter Thomas of Lyme Regis SC.

The wind held on for a second race and again Paul Handley got away followed by Mike and Wiclif in second and third again, with Don Spencer of Ogston SC fourth and Toby Sherwin of Teign Corinthian YC fifth. As the wind was easing and tide building the Race Officer made the sensible decision to postpone the third race to Sunday leaving plenty of time for the class AGM followed by a very pleasant meal in the clubhouse overlooking the harbour.

The wind remained light on Sunday morning but with the sun shining the Race Officer was anticipating a 12-knot sea breeze later. The fleet set off early for the first race of the day in the prevailing breeze and again Paul Handley found the conditions to his liking taking his third win ahead of Tom Murphy from the National YC in Ireland and Hugh Duncan of Lyme Regis SC third.

But the locals were right about the sea breeze and before the fourth race got underway a stronger breeze set in. Wiclif and some regular sea sailors set the pace, with Wiclif finishing first ahead of Dave Guthrie of Lyme Regis SC followed by Tom Murphy and Jeff Vanderborght.

A similar pattern followed for the final race with Wiclif leading home ahead of Jeff and Dave while all competitors enjoyed the sun and racing in ideal sailing conditions.

K1 Nationals at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Overall points were tight but great consistency in all conditions earned Wiclif McCready his second K1 Nationals title by one point from Paul Handley with Mike Ball third. Wiclif also won the Masters trophy with Jeff second Master and fourth overall. In the keenly contested Grand Master category (over 70s) Don Spencer took the trophy with Alf Hawksworth of Carsington second.

The K1 sailors greatly enjoyed the event and are very grateful to Shoreham SC for their first class race management and hospitality, our thanks go to all involved in the organization particularly our K1 contact Ralph Husey. The next K1 event will be Part 2 of the K1 Inlands at Carsington on October 11th followed by the end of season K1 open at Papercourt SC, 19th October.

Overall Results: